Piece of the Week: John Hardy’s Reimagined Dragon
Creative Chairman Reed Krakoff has modernized one of the brand’s most well-known motifs ahead of the Year of the Dragon.

Jewelry brands and designers have been rolling out their interpretations of the mythical creature since the start of the calendar year, rendering dragons in gold and silver, and setting them with diamonds and colored gemstones.
For John Hardy and its creative chairman, Reed Krakoff, archival inspiration wasn’t hard to find.
In 2007, the Bali-based brand debuted the first piece in what would become one of its most recognizable and best-selling collections, the “Naga Dragon.”

The mythical creature is sacred to the people of Bali, and symbolic of humans’ connection to nature.
As the story goes, the Naga sits atop a volcano by day, guarding the people. At night, he dives into the ocean to visit his one true love, the Pearl.
When he flies back to his volcano in the morning, the water dripping from his scales nourishes the fields.
Krakoff’s reimagining of the dragon pays homage to some of the signature elements in the original design—the use of woven chain to mimic scales and, in some pieces, the dragon biting his own tail.
But his take on Naga is sleeker and more modern without sacrificing on detail, making it tellingly Krakoff.
The new Naga Dragon collection debuted in January. Pieces are available in sterling silver or 14-karat gold, like the wrap necklace featured as our Piece of the Week.
Prices range from $495 to $14,000.
The Latest

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.


Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.